San Mateo, CA, March 12, 2012 - Franklin Templeton Investments expands its mobile offerings with the launch of an iPad app, providing a powerful way for on-the-go U.S. financial advisors and investors to quickly access fund information and portfolio manager perspectives. The Franklin Templeton app, which can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store on iTunes1, provides engaging, interactive access to information on Franklin Templeton's complete line-up of mutual funds and timely video and commentary from the firm's investment professionals. Users have the option to customize elements of the app to match their preferences and interests.

"Financial advisors and investors are becoming increasingly mobile and placing greater importance on being able to easily access information when and where they need it. There is a clear need to deliver fund information in new formats consistent with their changing preferences," said David McSpadden, senior vice president of Global Advisory Services. "The Franklin Templeton app for the iPad is part of our efforts to leverage mobile technology and social media as we continue to evolve the ways in which we connect with and serve our clients."

With the Franklin Templeton app, users can search for funds, explore individual funds in detail, view portfolio manager videos, read investment commentary and email fund fact sheets directly from an iPad. The app's briefcase feature enables customization with the ability to save and quickly recall frequently used information in three categories - Funds, Literature and Video. An informational video highlighting the app's features is available at franklintempleton.com/ipad.

In addition to the new iPad app, Franklin Templeton's mobile site offers an optimized version of franklintempleton.com for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry users. The mobile site features key web content relevant to mobile users, including price and performance data for Franklin Templeton funds.

All investments involve risks. Investors should carefully consider a fund's investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. To obtain a summary prospectus and/or prospectus, which contains this and other information, talk to your financial advisor, call us at (800) DIAL BEN/(800) 342-5236 or visit franklintempleton.com. Please carefully read a prospectus before you invest or send money.

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc., is the principal underwriter of Franklin Templeton's U.S. registered funds. Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Fiduciary Trust, Darby and Bissett investment teams. The San Mateo, CA-based company has more than 60 years of investment experience and over $727 billion in assets under management as of February 29, 2012. For more information, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN® or visit franklintempleton.com.

Full-Size Screenshots(click to expand)Franklin Templeton U.S. iPad App Home Screen

Education Savings - Franklin Templeton Investments

On December 22, 2017, the president signed new tax legislation (H.R.1) into law. There are two major elements that impact 529 savings plans.

529 savings plans may now be used for up to $10,000 per year for K-12 tuition expenses. This provides families with additional opportunities to save federal income tax-free for tuition expenses at private, public and religious K-12 schools, as well as for costs characterized as tuition that may be incurred in connection with attendance at a public K-12 school (it is not currently clear what public K-12 school costs, if any, will be regarded as tuition for this purpose.)

The federal tax law now allows rollovers from a 529 savings plan account to an account in a 529A “ABLE” savings plan for the same beneficiary or a “member of the family” of the same beneficiary. The amount that may be rolled over cannot exceed, together with contributions from other sources to the applicable beneficiary’s plan account, the annual limit on contributions to an ABLE account ($15,000 in 2018) without regard to the increased limit permitted for contributions by certain working beneficiaries.

We currently are working on updating our website and materials, and will continue to share information as we further understand the implications. In the meantime, we encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor to discuss your personal situation.

Important Legal Information

Tax benefits are conditioned on meeting certain requirements. Federal income tax, a 10% federal tax penalty, and state income tax and penalties may apply to nonqualified withdrawals of earnings. Generation-skipping tax may apply to substantial transfers to a beneficiary at least two generations below the contributor. Gift examples are general; individual financial circumstances and state laws vary—consult a tax advisor before investing. If the contributor dies within the five-year period, a prorated portion of contributions may be included in their taxable estate. See the Investor Handbook for more complete information.

Investors should carefully consider college savings plan investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. To obtain the Investor Handbook, which contains this and other information, call Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., the manager and underwriter for the plan, at (877) 4NJ-BEST. You should read the Investor Handbook carefully before investing and consider whether your or the account beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in its qualified tuition program.